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Page 65
Moreover, the barons who would not go with him to France will eagerly flock to his standard to subdue Wales or Scotland or Ireland."
"I see that clearly enough. What I do not see is what success may be looked for if John leads the army."
"Hush," Ian said, grinning at her. "After his great victories in France to be so untrusting." He laughed again. "Most of the time Salisbury leads. That is all to the good. If John were not a cursed fool, William of Pembroke would leadand that would be still better. However, John is learning. He will never be a great battle leader becausebecause he thinks too much, although he is not so totally useless about war as he once was."
Alinor was listening with only half an ear. Most of her attention was devoted to adding and multiplying in her head, and her eyes were growing larger. "Oh, Ian, with those I must ask it will be nigh on forty lords with their ladies and nearnear a thousand servants."
"Yes." Ian wrinkled his brow over her calculation. "That sounds right to me. Of course, some men we must have counted twice. The number will doubtless be less by a few."
"It will strip a year's supplies from Roselynde."
"To be sure," Ian agreed. "That cannot matter. You have spent far too much time here."
"But"
He turned away a little. "You need not excuse yourself to me. I know why it was done. Nonetheless, now it is time to correct your necessary neglect. You must go on progress, and it will be natural to stay awhile at each keep and set all to rights."
Being far more used to hearing that she gave too close attention to the doings of her vassals and castellans, Alinor was temporarily reduced to silence.
"We have wasted too much time on this already," Ian continued, his eyes on the brightening light of

 
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